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Representative 19.8% APR. No impact on your credit score. Our partner uses a soft search to give you a quote. If you proceed, a hard search will be conducted which may impact your credit score. ?We're partnered with Car Finance 24/7. As an Introducer Appointed Representative of Carfinance247 Limited (FCA FRN: 653019), we receive a commission if you purchase finance products through the link above. We do not provide advice or make recommendations.
*A soft search has no impact on your credit score. If you choose to proceed with a full application, a hard search will be carried out which may impact your credit score.
Bad credit usually means you have missed payments, defaults, county court judgments, or a low credit score on your file. There is no single definition. Different lenders set their own thresholds, so being turned down by one does not mean every lender will say no.
You can check your credit score for free through services like ClearScore, Experian, or Credit Karma before you apply. Knowing where you stand helps you understand what options may be available to you.
Yes, it may be possible. Some lenders specialise in working with people who have a poor credit score or marks on their credit file. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, including your income, outgoings, and the amount you want to borrow.
Some lenders assess applications based on affordability rather than credit score alone, which means your income and outgoings may matter more than your credit history in some cases.
A soft search lets you check what you could be eligible for without leaving a mark on your credit file. If you decide to go ahead with a full application, a hard search will be carried out by the lender, which may affect your credit score.
Rather than applying to individual lenders directly, using a broker means your application can be matched against a panel of lenders, including some who specialise in bad credit or adverse credit histories. This can save time and avoids the need to make multiple applications yourself.
There are a few things that could help strengthen your application if your credit is not perfect.
A larger deposit reduces the amount you need to borrow, which may make lenders more comfortable. Even a small deposit could improve the terms you are offered.
That said, many car finance options are available with no deposit, even if your credit is not perfect. A deposit is not always required, but it could improve the terms you are offered.
Keeping your borrowing amount realistic also helps. Lenders carry out affordability checks, so choosing a car within a comfortable budget gives you a better chance of being approved.
If you have a family member or friend with good credit, a guarantor could support your application. They agree to cover payments if you are unable to, which gives the lender additional security.
Before applying to multiple lenders, consider using a soft search to check your eligibility first. Multiple hard searches in a short period can lower your credit score further.
If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or PIP, take a look at our car finance on benefits page. If you are self employed, see our self employed car finance guide.
If you are approved for car finance with a lower or very bad credit score, you may be offered a higher APR than someone with a strong credit history. This means your monthly payments and total cost of credit could be higher.
The rate you are offered depends on your individual circumstances. Rates start from 9.9% APR, but the representative APR is 19.8%. The rate you receive may be higher or lower depending on your credit profile, the amount borrowed, and the term length.
Some lenders may also offer shorter term lengths or lower borrowing limits for applicants with bad credit. Subject to status and affordability.
If you are not in a rush, taking a few months to work on your credit score before applying could help you get better terms.
Registering on the electoral roll is one of the simplest things you can do. Making sure all your existing bills and payments are up to date also helps. Reducing the amount of outstanding credit you have, even by a small amount, can make a difference.
Avoid opening new credit accounts or making multiple credit applications in a short period. Each hard search leaves a mark on your file that lenders can see.
Wondering how much car finance you can get on your salary? Use our calculator to estimate monthly payments based on the car price, your credit grade and preferred term length.
Check your eligibility for both HP and PCP deals in minutes (Representative 19.8% APR) - with no impact on your credit score. Our partner uses a soft search to give you a quote. If you proceed, a hard search will be conducted which may impact your credit score.
Check Your EligibilityNot the right fit? Check out the other car finance options we cover.
If you are already paying for a car on finance, make sure you are not overpaying on your car insurance too. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the easiest way to check you are getting a competitive deal.
Thinking of selling your car? Get a free valuation via our partnership with Motorway.
Common questions about bad credit car finance.
It may be possible, yes. Some lenders consider applicants with lower credit scores. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances including income, outgoings, and the amount you want to borrow. A soft search lets you check what you could be eligible for without affecting your credit file.
There is no single cutoff. Different lenders have different criteria, so being turned down by one does not necessarily mean all lenders will say no. Using a broker like CarFinance247 means your application can be matched against a panel of lenders, including some who specialise in lower credit scores. Subject to status.
No. An initial eligibility check uses a soft search, which does not appear on your credit file and has no impact on your credit score. A hard search is only carried out if you choose to proceed with a full application.
A few things may help. A larger deposit could reduce the amount you need to borrow and improve the terms offered. Keeping the borrowing amount realistic, registering on the electoral roll, and making sure existing payments are up to date can all make a difference. The rate offered depends on your individual circumstances.
Not necessarily. Many options are available with no deposit, even for applicants with lower credit scores. However, putting down a deposit could reduce your monthly payments and the total cost of credit. It may also improve the terms you are offered. Subject to status and affordability.
There is no single minimum credit score that all lenders require. Different lenders set their own thresholds, and some focus more on your overall affordability than your score alone. Even with a lower score, you may still be eligible. A soft search lets you check without any impact on your credit file.
No lender can guarantee approval. Any company advertising guaranteed car finance is likely using it as a marketing term. All applications are subject to status and affordability checks. However, checking your eligibility via a soft search is free and carries no risk, so it is worth seeing what options may be available to you.
It could, yes. Making regular, on-time payments on a car finance agreement builds a positive payment history on your credit file. Over time, this could improve your credit score. However, missed or late payments will have the opposite effect, so it is important to only borrow what you can comfortably afford to repay.
Applying to multiple lenders in a short period can make things worse, as each hard search leaves a mark on your credit file. Instead, use a soft search to check your eligibility first. This does not affect your credit score and lets you see what options may be available without the risk of multiple rejections showing on your file.
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